Indoor/outdoor appliance housing

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an appliance housing, configured to at least partially enclose and support kitchen and grilling appliances and further configured to support decorative finishes, such as a countertops and paneling. An appliance housing may include a first panel and a second panel. An appliance housing may include a connector, wherein the connector includes a first and second slot, wherein the first slot receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot receives a portion of the second panel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/342,651, filed May 17, 2022, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an appliance housing, configured to at least partially enclose and support kitchen and grilling appliances and further configured to support decorative finishes, such as a countertops and paneling. More particularly, the appliance housing is assembled from individual component parts, such as panels and connectors, the latter of which may feature slots and apertures that are used to fasten adjacent panels.

BACKGROUND

Appliance housings are configured to at least partially enclose kitchen and grilling appliances, such as stove tops, grills, microwaves, and mini fridges. These housings are also designed to provide a user with counter space and various compartments to store cooking utensils and food products. Generally, users that are grilling outdoors or cooking in the kitchen desire a functional yet stylish housing for their kitchen appliances and island countertops. Moreover, contractors and homeowners alike seek housings that are easy to transport, simple to assemble, and low-cost.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to an appliance housing comprised of panels and connectors. Some of the connectors are used to fasten adjacent, parallel panels, while other connectors are used for fastening adjacent panels that define a corner of the appliance housing. The connectors feature multiple slots that guide the panels into place for fastening. The connectors may include apertures that align with apertures on the panel once the panels are set in place and properly received by the slot. Rivets may then be used to secure the two or more panels to the connector.

The panels and connectors may come separately packaged in a kit that is to be assembled at a final location. In the alternative, the appliance housing may come in a kit that includes partially assembled sub-units of panels and connectors. Once the appliance housing is assembled from the panels and connectors, the user, or a contractor, may further decorate the outer surfaces of the appliance housing body with various materials to produce a finished appliance housing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, including: a first panel and a second panel; and a connector, wherein the connector includes a first and second slot, wherein the first slot receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot receives a portion of the second panel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the first and second panels each include two sheet layers separated by an insulating layer.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the first and second panels are each aluminum honeycomb panels.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the first and second panels are cement panels.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the first and second slots include plurality of apertures, and wherein each of the apertures of the first and second slots is aligned with a respective one of a plurality of apertures of the first and second panels.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein rivets are provided through the apertures of the respective first and second panels and first and second slots to fasten the first and second panels to the connector.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the connector is either a mid-section connector or a corner connector.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the connector is a mid-section connector configured such that the first and second panels are substantially parallel to one another.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the connector exhibits a substantial H-shape in cross-section.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the connector is a corner connector configured such that the first and second panels are substantially non-parallel to one another.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the connector is a corner connector configured such that the first and second panels are substantially perpendicular to one another.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the connector is a corner connector configured such that the first and second panels are arranged at an angle of about 30°, 45°, or 60° relative to one another.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the appliance housing includes a finish.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the appliance housing includes at least one cavity defined partially by the first panel or second panel, configured to at least partially receive an appliance.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the first panel and second panel are connected to the connector without any welds.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, including: a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel; a mid-section connector including a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first slot of the mid-section connector receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot of the mid-section connector receives a portion of the second panel such that the first and second panels are substantially parallel to one another; and a corner connector including a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first slot of the corner connector receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot of the corner connector receives a portion of the third panel such that the first panel is substantially non-parallel to the third panel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the first, second, and third panels each include two sheet layers separated by an insulating layer.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the first, second, and third panels are each aluminum honeycomb panels.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an appliance housing, wherein the first, second, and third panels are cement panels.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, including: arranging a first and second panel in a first slot and a second slot, respectively, of a mid-section connector of an appliance housing such that the first slot of the mid-section connector receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot of the mid-section connector receives a portion of the second panel, and such that the first and second panels are substantially parallel to one another; and arranging the first panel and a third panel in a first slot and second slot, respectively, of a corner connector such that the first slot of the corner connector receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot of the corner connector receives a portion of the third panel, and such that the first panel is substantially non-parallel to the third panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front-perspective view of an exemplary finished appliance housing that partially encloses a grill and mini-fridge and is finished with siding and countertops.

FIG. 2 is a view of an exemplary appliance housing.

FIG. 3 is a view of an exemplary panel.

FIG. 4 is a view of a mid-section connector.

FIG. 5 is a view of a mid-section connector receiving a panel.

FIG. 6 is a view of a corner connector.

FIG. 7 is a view of a corner connector receiving two panels.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an exemplary appliance housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary assembly 10, which includes an appliance housing, which in this example is for outdoor use and comprises multiple cavities that receive a grill 12, minifridge 14, and stove burner 16. This disclosure extends to other configurations for an assembly 10 that house indoor or outdoor cooking appliances. In one non-limiting example, the assembly 10 is situated indoors and configured to house an oven and stove top instead of the grill 12. Furthermore, the assembly 10 could incorporate drawers for storage as a substitute for or in addition to the minifridge 14.

The assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 also features finishes comprising granite slabs 18 and stone siding 20. The finishes of the appliance housing in FIG. 1 are aesthetic and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. A user may select from a variety of finishes.

FIG. 2 . shows a front view of an exemplary appliance housing 22 for use in an assembly, such as the assembly 10. The appliance housing 22 includes panels 24 and connectors 26 that are used to join the panels 24. The panels 24 and connectors 26 are arranged in a manner that create faces and cavities. This exemplary appliance housing 22, shown in FIG. 2 is substantially rectangular and features six faces: two lateral, or end, faces 28, a front face 30 that generally faces a user during food preparation, a rear face 32 opposite to the front face 30, a base face 34 that abuts a ground surface 36, and a top face 38 that is opposite to the base face 34. The base face 34 is designed so that the appliance housing 22 can rest flush on a variety of flat ground surfaces 36 such as patios, floors, decks, etc., and various materials such as stone, wood, concrete, tile, or plastic.

The appliance housing 22 has a height H1, length L1, and width W1. In this disclosure, the term “length” is used to correspond to the longest dimension of a component, and “height” is used to correspond to the thickness of a particular component. The terms “length”, “width”, and “height” are used for purposes of explanation only and are not meant to be otherwise limiting. The user may tailor the dimensions of the appliance housing 22 so that the appliance housing 22 can fit in a specific space and so that the appliance housing 22 is also compatible with a specific appliance model. FIG. 2 further shows cavities in the appliance housing 22. Each of the cavities include at least one opening in one or more of the six faces of the appliance housing body. These cavities are specifically designed to house an appliance and at least partially expose the appliance. The cavities are defined at least in part by the panels 24. For example, one cavity 39 features one opening 40 sized and shaped to receive and support the grill 12 and a second opening 41 sized and shaped to provide a propane compartment generally under the grill 12. Moreover, a second cavity 43 features a single opening 45 for the mini-fridge 14. The appliance housing 22 is compatible with other geometries in addition to the geometry shown in FIG. 2 . For example, the appliance housing 22 may also take on a triangle or diamond shape. The appliance housing 22 may also be L-shaped or circular, as examples, when viewed from above.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an exemplary panel 24 used to form the appliance housing 22. The panel 24 is a sandwich panel, made of a metallic material such as aluminum, and may be an aluminum honeycomb panel. While the panel 24 is shown as being a sandwich panel made of aluminum, this disclosure applies to other panels, including cement panels.

With continued reference to FIG. 3 , the panel 24 is substantially rectangular with a width W2, height H2, and length L2. Each of these dimensions are subject to the ultimate design of the appliance housing 22. The panel 24 comprises two sheets 42 and an insulating layer 44 sandwiched between the two sheets 42. The two sheets 42 have four sides 46 establishing a rectangular profile with the length L2 and width W2. Each sheet 42 features an edge 48 that traces along the four sides 46 of both sheets. Furthermore, each panel 24 includes a plurality of apertures 50 to facilitate fastening the panel 24 to the connector 26. The plurality of apertures 50 are drilled through the panel 24. The apertures 50 are aligned with one another such that a rivet or other fastener can pass through the panel 24.

The plurality of apertures 50 of panel 24 in FIG. 3 are aligned along the edge 48 of the sheet 42. Each aperture 50 is spaced a distance D1 from the edge 48 and spaced a different distance D2 from an adjacent aperture 50 located on the same side 46 of the sheet. This configuration enables the panel 24 in FIG. 3 to fasten to a connector 26 at each side 46. Although the panel 24 illustrated in FIG. 3 is shown to be rectangularly shaped with apertures 50 spaced along the edge 48 of each side 46, other configurations for the plurality of apertures 50 and geometry of the panel 24 are within the scope of this disclosure.

Again, the panel 24 may be an aluminum honeycomb design. In that case, the sheets 42 are formed from aluminum and the insulating layer 44 consists of a plurality of aluminum folds. With this configuration, the panels 24 are made of a high strength material that is resistant to corrosion and resists heat transfer. Although aluminum is used in this particular embodiment, other materials may be used in addition to or in place of the aluminum for both the sheets 42 and insulating layer 44.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the connector 26 for the appliance housing 22. More specifically, the connector 26 is a mid-section connector 54 that is used to fasten two substantially parallel panels 24 together. The mid-section connector 54 is comprised of a first plate 56, a second plate 58 and a bridge 60, such that mid-section connector 54 exhibits a substantial “H-shape” in cross-section. The first plate 56, second plate 58, and bridge 60 each have ends 62, 64, 66, respectively and edges 68, 70, 72. Moreover, the first plate 56 and second plate 58 each have an inner surface 74, 76, and an outer surface 78, 80 that is opposite to the inner surfaces 74, 76 respectively.

The first plate, 56 second plate, 58 and bridge 60 are each a flat, rectangular pieces of aluminum or other metal. FIG. 4 shows the first plate 56 and second plate 58 having similar dimensions: width W3 measured between the lateral ends 68, 70 and length L3 measured between the ends 62, 64. Moreover, the bridge 60 also extends the length L3. A plurality of apertures 82 are drilled through the first plate 56 whereas the second plate 58 features a smooth, continuous inner and outer surface 76, 80. The apertures 82 could be drilled during manufacture of the connector 54, or following manufacture. Alternatively, the second plate 58 may include apertures corresponding to and aligned with those of the first plate 56. As shown in FIG. 2 , when the mid-section connector 54 is incorporated within the appliance housing 22, the outer surface 80 of the second plate 58 is exposed to the outside environment.

In one non-limiting example, the width W3 is two inches, the length L3 is twelve feet, the connector is made from two-millimeter aluminum sheets, and the plurality of apertures 82 are one-eighth inch holes drilled six inches apart. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 features a front and back plate with uniform dimensions, plates with non-uniform dimensions and other geometries are within the scope of this disclosure.

The bridge 60, at its lateral ends 72, is joined at the inner surfaces 74, 76 between the lateral ends 68, 70 of the first and second plate 56, 58. Thus, the bridge 60 is perpendicular to the first and second plate 56, 58 and the first and second plate 56, 58 are parallel to each other. The bridge has a height H3 measured between its lateral ends 72, so the first plate 56 is spaced the height H3 from the second plate 58. This perpendicular arrangement between the plates 56, 58 and bridge 60 creates two slots 84. The slot 84 is bound by the inner surface 74 of the first plate 56, inner surface 76 of the second plate 58, and bridge 60. Each slot 84 is configured to receive one panel 24 such that each mid-section connector 54 can be used to fasten two adjacent panels 24 in parallel.

FIG. 5 illustrates a technique for fastening the panel 24 to the mid-section connector 54. In this embodiment for the connector 26 a single panel 24 is received by one of two slots 84 of the mid-section connector 54. More specifically, the panel 24 is first oriented such that its sheets 42 are parallel to the first and second plate 56, 58 of the mid-section connector 54, and so that the height H2 of the panel 24 is parallel to the bridge 60. The panel height H2 is slightly smaller than the height H3 of the bridge 60 so that the slot 84 can receive the panel 24. The panel 24 is then slid into the slot 84, such that the inner surfaces 74, 76 of first and second plate 56, 58 abut the sheets 42 of the panel 24. Furthermore, the panel 24 is received by the slot 84 so that the plurality of apertures 50 of the one side 46 of the panel 24 align with some of the of the apertures 82 of the slot 84. Thus, spacing of the plurality of apertures 82 on the slot corresponds to the distance D1, D2 of the plurality of apertures 50 on the panel 24. Moreover, in this embodiment the width W2 is the same as length L3.

Once the panel 24 apertures 50 are aligned with the some of the apertures 82 of the slot 84, the panel 24 is fastened to the mid-section connector 54 with rivets or by other fasteners. This process is performed for both slots 84 of the mid-section connector 54 so that two adjacent panels 24 are fastened to the mid-section connector 54 in a substantially parallel orientation. The mid-section connector 54 could be used for relatively long sides of the appliance housing, such as the backside of the appliance housing 22 in FIGS. 2 and 8 . The method of assembly illustrated in FIG. 5 is advantageous because it does not require any welding. In addition, the panels 24 and connectors 26 can be packaged in relatively small, specialized containers. Alternatively, some of the panels 24 and connectors 26 may be pre-assembled and delivered as sub-units.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a corner connector 86 for the appliance housing 22. The corner connector 86 is used to receive and fasten two adjacent panels 24, such that the two panels 24 are angled to each other. Although the corner connector 86 embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is designed to fasten two panels at a 90° angle, other fastening arrangements are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, panels may be fastened at a variety of angles such as 30°, 45°, 60°, etc.

The corner connector 86 includes a first slot 92 and a second slot 94. The corner connector 86 is manufactured from aluminum or other metal. The connector 86 can be formed integrally, as a single structural component, such as in an extrusion process. The first slot 92 is arranged relative to the second slot 94 at about a 90° angle in this example. The corner connector exhibits a length L4.

The first slot 92 is bound by a portion of an exterior wall 98, an interior wall 100, and a portion of an interior wall 104. The second slot 94 is bound by an exterior wall 102, an interior wall 104, and a portion of the exterior wall 98. In this example, wall 100 projects from a surface of wall 104 opposite the second slot 94. Further, wall 104 projects from a surface of wall 98 facing first slot 92.

Walls 98, 102 are substantially perpendicular to one another, in this example. In particular, walls 98, 102, the first and second slots 92, 94, are arranged at about a 90° angle relative to one another. While an about 90° angle is mentioned, the walls 98, 100, and in turn the first and second slots 92, 94, could be arranged at any other substantially non-parallel angle relative to one another, such as an angle other than about 90°, including angles of about 30°, 45°, or 60°.

The first and second slots 92, 94 provide a gap having dimension, H4, configured to receive corresponding panels. The walls 98, 102 each exhibit a common dimension, width W4, in this example.

Both of walls 100, 104 feature a plurality of apertures 106, 108 for securing the panels 24 once they have been received by the first and second slots 92, 94. Apertures 106, 108 are configured to receive rivets, but other fastening methods are within the scope of this disclosure. Apertures 106, 108 could be formed during, or after, manufacturing of the connector 86.

FIG. 7 illustrates a technique for fastening multiple panels 24 to the corner connector 86. In this embodiment, two panels 24 are attached to the corner connector 86, and in particular a first panel 24 is received in the first slot 92, and another panel 24 is received in the second slot 94. Apertures 106, 108 align with the corresponding apertures in the respective panel to facilitate attachment. The panels are arranged at the same angle as the relative orientation of the first and second slots 92, 94, which here is about 90°.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an exemplary appliance housing 22. This exemplary appliance housing 22 is an example of an arrangement of panels 24 and connectors 26. For example, the connectors 26 may comprise the mid-section connectors 54 not visible in FIG. 8 , illustrated in FIG. 4 , and the corner connectors 86, illustrated in FIG. 6 , that are used to join the panels 24 to adjacent panels 24 in order to form the exemplary appliance housing 22.

Terms such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about” are not intended to be boundaryless terms, and should be interpreted consistent with the way one skilled in the art would interpret those terms.

Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples. In addition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

One of ordinary skill in this art would understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications of this disclosure would come within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content. 

1. An appliance housing, comprising: a first panel and a second panel; and a connector, wherein the connector includes a first and second slot, wherein the first slot receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot receives a portion of the second panel.
 2. The appliance housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second panels each include two sheet layers separated by an insulating layer.
 3. The appliance housing as recited in claim 2, wherein the first and second panels are each aluminum honeycomb panels.
 4. The appliance housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are cement panels.
 5. The appliance housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second slots include plurality of apertures, and wherein each of the apertures of the first and second slots is aligned with a respective one of a plurality of apertures of the first and second panels.
 6. The appliance housing as recited in claim 5, wherein rivets are provided through the apertures of the respective first and second panels and first and second slots to fasten the first and second panels to the connector.
 7. The appliance housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector is either a mid-section connector or a corner connector.
 8. The appliance housing as recited in claim 7, wherein the connector is a mid-section connector configured such that the first and second panels are substantially parallel to one another.
 9. The appliance housing as recited in claim 8, wherein the connector exhibits a substantial H-shape in cross-section.
 10. The appliance housing as recited in claim 7, wherein the connector is a corner connector configured such that the first and second panels are substantially non-parallel to one another.
 11. The appliance housing as recited in claim 10, wherein the connector is a corner connector configured such that the first and second panels are substantially perpendicular to one another.
 12. The appliance housing as recited in claim 10, wherein the connector is a corner connector configured such that the first and second panels are arranged at an angle of about 30°, 45°, or 60° relative to one another.
 13. The appliance housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance housing includes a finish.
 14. The appliance housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance housing includes at least one cavity defined partially by the first panel or second panel, configured to at least partially receive an appliance.
 15. The appliance housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the first panel and second panel are connected to the connector without any welds.
 16. An appliance housing, comprising: a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel; a mid-section connector including a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first slot of the mid-section connector receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot of the mid-section connector receives a portion of the second panel such that the first and second panels are substantially parallel to one another; and a corner connector including a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first slot of the corner connector receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot of the corner connector receives a portion of the third panel such that the first panel is substantially non-parallel to the third panel.
 17. The appliance housing as recited in claim 16, wherein the first, second, and third panels each include two sheet layers separated by an insulating layer.
 18. The appliance housing as recited in claim 17, wherein the first, second, and third panels are each aluminum honeycomb panels.
 19. The appliance housing as recited in claim 16, wherein the first, second, and third panels are cement panels.
 20. A method, comprising: arranging a first and second panel in a first slot and a second slot, respectively, of a mid-section connector of an appliance housing such that the first slot of the mid-section connector receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot of the mid-section connector receives a portion of the second panel, and such that the first and second panels are substantially parallel to one another; and arranging the first panel and a third panel in a first slot and second slot, respectively, of a corner connector such that the first slot of the corner connector receives a portion of the first panel and the second slot of the corner connector receives a portion of the third panel, and such that the first panel is substantially non-parallel to the third panel. 